Ukraine in heavy fighting along border after providing further military aid

2024-05-12 19:45:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

After securing approval for a new $60 billion US aid package, Ukraine is waging uphill battles on its borders as it struggles to repel Russian attacks in the Kharkiv region.

Russian forces crossed the border into the Kharkiv region on Friday, risking the opening of a new front in the 27-month-old war in the south and east of the country. The Russian army announced that it has taken control of at least nine villages. Kiev says it has repelled the attacks and is fighting to regain control of these areas.

Ukrainian army chief Oleksander Syrskyi said Sunday that Ukrainian forces were doing everything possible to hold the front line.

Ukraine in heavy fighting along border after providing further military aid

"The units of the Defense Forces have engaged in fierce fighting to repulse the attempts of the Russian invaders to break through the defense line and have stopped them," Mr. Syrskyi wrote on the Telegram network.

"The situation is difficult, but the Defense Forces of Ukraine are doing everything to maintain defensive positions and inflict damage on the enemy," he added.

Ukraine is mounting a defensive effort months after US munitions supplies slowed. Russian forces have a significant advantage in recruits and ammunition.

Military spokesman Nazar Voloshyn told Ukrainian television that the main Russian offensive was against the towns of Vovchank and Lyptsi, about 20 km near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.

In 2022, shortly after the start of the frontal attack, Russian forces reached the outskirts of the city of Kharkiv, but were pushed back again all the way across the border.

Ukraine attacks a Russian apartment block with rockets, killing 7 people

However, Ukraine has continued its counterattacks even across the border.

At least seven people were killed and 17 others injured when an entire section of a Russian apartment block collapsed after being hit by a Soviet-era missile fired from Ukraine. Russia said it had managed to shoot down the missile.

Ukraine in heavy fighting along border after providing further military aid

In one of the bloodiest attacks so far in the Belgorod region, Ukraine launched what Russian officials said was a massive attack with 'Tochka' ballistic missiles and multiple 'Adler' and 'RM-70 Vampire' missile systems ( MLRS).

Footage from the scene showed parts of the building with at least 10 floors collapsing and people running to escape.

The Russian Defense Ministry said at least 12 missiles were used during the attack, which it called a "terrorist attack on residential areas".

Both Ukraine and Russia say they do not target civilians, although many civilians have been killed in the war on both sides.

Until now, there has been no comment from Ukraine regarding the attack./ VOA